Automotive window glass, method for attaching a molding, and method for manufacturing automotive window glass

ABSTRACT

Automotive window glass to which a molding for sealing space between a car body and the window glass is to be attached, the window glass including, an attachment starting point mark indicating an attachment starting point of the molding, and at least one of a termination starting point mark and a termination last point mark in a specification range in which a termination of the molding, of which an attachment to the window glass being started from the attachment starting point, is to be placed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.14/547,401, filed Nov. 19, 2014, which claims priority from JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-240944, filed Nov. 21, 2013, the disclosuresof which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to automotive window glass with an outerperiphery to which a molding for sealing space between a car body andthe window glass is to be attached, method for attaching the molding,and method for manufacturing the automotive window glass.

Related Art

A member called a molding is attached to the outer periphery ofautomotive window glass for sealing space between the window glass and acar body. To determine the position of such a molding easily while themolding is to be fitted to window glass along its outer periphery,markings have been placed on both the window glass and the molding (seeJapanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. H06-297942).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the technique of the publication cannot check the occurrence ofan improper length of the molding or a misaligned marking on themolding.

A problem to be solved by this invention is to provide automotive windowglass, method for attaching molding, and method for manufacturingautomotive window glass contributing to placement of a molding in aright position relative to the automotive window glass and contributingto checking whether the molding has a proper length.

This invention solves the aforementioned problem by the following means.

The first aspect of the present invention, there is provided automotivewindow glass to which a molding for sealing space between a car body andthe window glass is to be attached, the window glass comprising: anattachment starting point mark indicating an attachment starting pointof the molding; and at least one of a termination starting point markand a termination last point mark of a specification range in which atermination of the molding, of which an attachment to the window glass,being started from the attachment starting point is to be placed.

The automotive window glass may have both the termination starting pointmark and the termination last point mark.

The termination starting point mark and the termination last point markmay be normal to an outer periphery of the automotive window glass.

The termination starting point mark and the termination last point markmay be formed in a black border on the automotive window glass.

The termination starting point mark and the termination last point markmay be formed in an outer circumference of the black border.

The termination starting point mark and the termination last point markmay form sides of a multi-sided shape.

The second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor attaching a molding for sealing space between automotive windowglass and a car body to the automotive window glass, the methodcomprising the steps of, forming, to the automotive window glass, anattachment starting point mark indicating an attachment starting pointof the molding, and a termination range mark indicating a terminationspecification range of a termination of the molding of which anattachment to the window glass being started from the attachmentstarting point, forming a molding including a molding-side markcorresponding to the attachment starting point mark, starting attachmentof the molding to the automotive window glass, such that themolding-side mark of the molding coincides with the attachment startingpoint mark of the automotive window glass and determining whether thetermination of the molding is within the termination specificationrange, by visually checking a position of the termination of the moldingrelative to the termination range mark.

The third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a methodfor manufacturing automotive window glass, to which a molding forsealing space between the automotive window glass and a car body isattached, the method comprising the step of, forming an attachmentstarting point mark indicating an attachment starting point of themolding, and a termination range mark indicating a terminationspecification range of a termination of the molding of which anattachment to the window glass being started from the attachmentstarting point, through masking while printing a black border.

The aforementioned structures can be modified, where appropriate. Atleast some of these structures can be replaced by a different structure.

This invention can provide automotive window glass contributing toplacement of a molding in a right position relative to the automotivewindow glass and contributing to checking whether the molding has aproper length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a condition where a molding is attached to window glass towhich a first embodiment of this invention is applied,

FIG. 2A is a front view showing how the molding is attached to thewindow glass,

FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along B-B of FIG. 2A showing how themolding is attached to the window glass,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area C of FIG. 2 showing a terminationrange mark for the molding formed in the window glass,

FIG. 4A shows a relationship between the termination range mark and atermination of the molding,

FIG. 4B shows a relationship between the termination range mark and atermination of the molding,

FIG. 4C shows a relationship between the termination range mark and atermination of the molding,

FIG. 5A shows different examples of indication of a terminationspecification range,

FIG. 5B shows different examples of indication of a terminationspecification range,

FIG. 6 shows how a molding is attached to window glass of a secondembodiment of this invention,

FIG. 7 shows a termination starting point mark formed in window glass ofa third embodiment, and

FIG. 8 shows a modification of the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention are described below by referring to thedrawings.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 shows a condition where a molding is attached to window glass towhich a first embodiment of this invention is applied.

FIG. 2A is a front view showing how a molding 20 is attached to windowglass 10. FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along B-B of FIG. 2A showinghow a molding 20 is attached to window glass 10.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area C of FIG. 2A showing a terminationrange mark 13 in the window glass 10.

FIG. 4 shows a relationship between the termination range mark 13 and atermination 21 of the molding 20.

The window glass 10 of FIG. 1 is a windshield arranged on the front sideof an automobile. This invention is applicable not only to a windshieldbut also to side window glass and rear window glass.

The molding 20 is attached to a given range of the outer periphery ofthe window glass 10. The window glass 10 with the attached molding 20 isassembled into the body of an automobile not shown in the drawings in anautomobile assembly line.

As shown in FIGS. 1, and 2A, the window glass 10 is rimmed with a blackborder 11 in the form of a frame that runs around the inside of theouter periphery of the window glass 10. The black border 11 prevents anadhesive for adhesive contact of the window glass 10 to a car body fromdeteriorating due to light.

The black border 11 is given an attachment starting point mark 12 usedfor determining the position of the molding 20 during attachment of themolding 20, and the termination range mark 13 (a termination startingpoint mark 13S and a termination last point mark 13L) indicating atermination specification range for the molding 20 described later. Theattachment starting point mark 12 and the termination range mark 13 aredescribed in detail later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the molding 20 of this embodiment is attached to anupper side 10U, and a lateral side 10L and a lateral side 10R excepttheir parts near a lower side. A lower side 10D and the parts of thelateral sides 10L and 10R near the lower side 10D of the window glass 10to which the molding 20 is not to be attached are covered with a cowlnot shown in the drawings to be attached to the window glass 10 whilethe window glass 10 is incorporated to the car body.

Thus, the termination 21 of the molding 20 of this embodiment should bewithin a certain range (termination specification range) in the verticaldirection of the drawings. Specifically, the termination 21 of themolding 20 below the termination specification range (near the lowerside 10D of the window glass 10) may interfere with the cowl, so thatattachment of the cowl may be hindered.

Meanwhile, the termination 21 of the molding 20 above the terminationspecification range (far from the lower side 10D of the window glass 10)may generate a gap between the molding 20 and the cowl.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the molding 20 has a glass fitting part 20G to fitthe window glass 10 so as to pinch the window glass 10, and a car bodyfitting part 20B to fit a member belonging to the car body. The molding20 is made of a flexible material such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Themolding 20 is one continuous bar having a length determined such thatthe termination 21 of the molding 20 is placed within the terminationspecification range if the molding 20 is attached to the window glass 10correctly.

The molding 20 is attached to the window glass 10 by coating the glassfitting part 20G of the molding 20 with an adhesive and fitting themolding 20 such that the outer periphery of the window glass 10 (upperside 10U and lateral sides 10L and 10R) is inserted in the molding 20,as shown in FIG. 2A.

The window glass 10 is given the attachment starting point mark 12 in apart of the upper side 10U in the center of the width direction of thewindow glass 10. The molding 20 is given a center mark 22 to correspondto the attachment starting point mark 12.

The attachment starting point mark 12 in the window glass 10 is aninverted triangular indication cut out of the black border 11 printed onthe window glass 10. The base of the triangle is on the outer edge side.The attachment starting point mark 12 is formed by masking while theblack border 11 is printed. The center mark 22 on the molding 20 is alinear pattern indication orthogonal to an axis direction (longitudinaldirection) of the molding 20 and is formed in the center of the axisdirection.

As shown in FIG. 2A, during attachment of the molding 20 to the windowglass 10, the center mark 22 on the molding 20 is aligned with theattachment starting point mark 12 in the window glass 10. This allowsthe molding 20 to be attached to a given position of the window glass10.

If an error not falling within an allowable amount is caused in thelength of the molding 20 or the position of the center mark 22, forexample, the positon of the termination 21 of the molding 20 may go outof the termination specification range even if the molding 20 isattached to the window glass 10 while the center mark 22 is accuratelyaligned with the attachment starting point mark 12 in the window glass10.

Therefore, the termination range mark 13 indicating the terminationspecification range for the molding 20 is formed in the window glass 10.The termination range mark 13 is formed in each of the right and leftlateral sides 10R and 10L of the window glass 10.

As shown FIG. 3 corresponding to an enlarged view of the area C of FIG.2A, the termination range mark 13 is a rectangular indication cut out ofthe black border 11 printed on the window glass 10 so as to expose theblack border 11 toward the outer edge. The termination range mark 13 isformed by masking while the black border 11 is printed.

The termination range mark 13 has the termination starting point mark13S and the termination last point mark 13L corresponding to the upperside and the lower side of the rectangular cutout, respectively. Thetermination starting point mark 13S and the termination last point mark13L are each at right angles (normal) to the lateral sides 10L and 10Rforming the outer periphery of the window glass 10. The terminationstarting point mark 13S in the upper part of FIG. 3 indicates an upperlimit of the position of the termination 21 of the molding 20 (allowablelimit of a short molding 20). The termination last point mark 13L in thelower part of FIG. 3 indicates a lower limit of the position of thetermination 21 of the molding 20 (allowable limit of a long molding 20).

Thus, by visually checking the position of the termination 21 of themolding 20 relative to the termination range mark 13 after the molding20 is attached, it can be determined whether the termination 21 of themolding 20 is within the termination specification range.

Specifically, if the termination 21 of the molding 20 is between thetermination starting point mark 13S and the termination last point mark13L as shown in FIG. 4A, the termination 21 of the molding 20 can bedetermined to be within the termination specification range (allowablerange).

If the termination 21 of the molding 20 is above the terminationstarting point mark 13S of the termination range mark 13 as shown inFIG. 4B or below the termination last point mark 13L of the terminationrange mark 13 as shown in FIG. 4C, the termination 21 of the molding 20can be determined not to fall within the termination specificationrange. Thus, action can be taken such as removal or repair of the windowglass 10.

In this embodiment, the molding 20 is attached to the window glass 10while the center mark 22 in the center of the axial direction of themolding 20 is aligned with the attachment starting point mark 12 in thecenter of the width direction of the window glass 10. Thus, thetermination range mark 13 is formed in each of the right and leftlateral sides 10R and 10L of the window glass 10 to determine theposition of the termination 21 of the molding 20 at each of the rightand left lateral sides 10R and 10L.

As described above, in this embodiment, only by visually checking theposition of the termination 21 of the molding 20 relative to thetermination range mark 13 after the molding 20 is attached to the windowglass 10, it can be determined at once whether the attached molding 20.

An indication of the termination specification range for the molding 20is not limited to the termination range mark 13 described above. FIG. 5shows different examples of indication of the termination specificationrange.

FIG. 5A shows an upper limit line 14S and a lower limit line 14L formedindependently. The upper and lower limit lines 14S and 14L indicate anupper limit and a lower limit of the position of the termination 21 ofthe molding 20, respectively. The upper and lower limit lines 14S and14L are formed by cutting linear patterns out of the black border 11.

FIG. 5B shows a rectangular termination range mark 13′ in the blackborder 11 not exposed to an edge of the black border 11. In this case,like in the aforementioned embodiment, the termination starting pointmark 13S in the upper part of FIG. 5B indicates an upper limit of theposition of the termination 21 of the molding 20 (allowable limit of ashort molding 20). The termination last point mark 13L in the lower partof FIG. 5B indicates a lower limit of the position of the termination 21of the molding 20 (allowable limit of a long molding 20).

(Second Embodiment)

A second embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 6 is described next.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing how a molding 20 is attached to windowglass 10A of the second embodiment. Constituting elements same as thoseof the aforementioned embodiment are identified by the same signs inFIG. 6 and will not be described.

The window glass 10A of FIG. 6 is given an attachment starting pointmark 15 formed in one (right side of FIG. 6) lateral side 10R in a partnear the lower side 10D and the termination range mark 13 formed in theopposite (left side of FIG. 6) lateral side 10L in a part near the lowerside 10D.

Like the attachment starting point mark 12 of the first embodimentdescribed above, the attachment starting point mark 15 is an invertedtriangular indication cut out of the black border 11 printed on thewindow glass 10A. The base of the triangle is on the outer edge side.

For attachment of the molding 20, while one (right side of FIG. 6)termination 21 of the molding 20 is aligned with the attachment startingpoint mark 15 in the window glass 10A, the molding 20 is fitted aroundthe window glass 10A from this termination 21 such that the outerperiphery of the window glass 10A (upper side 10U and lateral sides 10Land 10R) is inserted in the molding 20. After the attachment, theposition of the opposite (left side of FIG. 6) termination 21 relativeto the termination range mark 13 is checked, so that it can bedetermined whether the attached molding 20.

This embodiment involves check of the position of the termination 21 ofthe molding 20 relative to the termination range mark 13 only in oneplace. This facilitates work relating to the check.

This embodiment achieves the following effects.

(1) In this embodiment, the termination range mark 13 indicating thespecification range for the termination 21 of the molding 20 is formedin a position of the window glass 10A corresponding to the termination21 of the molding 20. Thus, only by visually checking the position ofthe termination 21 of the molding 20 relative to the termination rangemark 13 after the molding 20 is attached to the window glass 10A, it canbe determined at once whether the attached molding 20.

(2) The termination starting point mark 13S and the termination lastpoint mark 13L of the termination range mark 13 indicating an allowablelimit of the termination 21 of the molding 20 are each a linear patternindication at right angles to the lateral sides 10L and 10R of thewindow glass 10A. Thus, the position of the termination 21 of themolding 20 can be determined unambiguously and definitely.

(3) The termination range mark 13 is an indication formed by making acutout in the black border 11 printed on the window glass 10A. Thus, theindication can be formed easily and achieves excellent visibility.

(4) The termination range mark 13 is formed by making a cutout in theblack border 11 such that the black border 11 is exposed toward an outercircumference. Thus, the termination range mark 13 is mostly hidden bythe attached molding 20 so that it is not recognized easily.

(Third Embodiment)

A third embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 7 is described next.

FIG. 7 shows a termination starting point mark 16 formed in window glass10B of the third embodiment. Constituting elements same as those of theaforementioned embodiments are identified by the same signs in FIG. 7and will not be described.

The window glass 10B of FIG. 7 is given the termination starting pointmark 16 formed in one lateral side 10L in a part near the lower side10D. The attachment starting point mark 15 of this embodiment is thesame as the aforementioned attachment starting point mark 15 of thesecond embodiment. A molding is attached by the same method as that ofthe second embodiment. Thus, the attachment starting point mark 15 andthe method of attachment will not be described.

A molding 20A of this embodiment differs from those of the first andsecond embodiments in that a termination 21A of the molding 20A extendsas far as to a part near the lower side 10D of the window glass 10B.

The window glass 10B to which the molding 20A is to be attached makes atermination last point reach the lower side 10D, making it impossible toform a termination last point mark.

Thus, in this embodiment, only the termination starting point mark 16 isformed in the part near the lower side 10D. It is determined whether thetermination 21A of the molding 20A falls within an allowable range byusing an edge of the lower side 10D of the window glass 10B as atermination last point mark.

In this embodiment, the position of the termination 21A of the molding20A relative to the termination starting point mark 16 is checked, sothat it can be determined whether the attached molding 20A.

(Modifications)

This invention is not to be limited to the aforementioned embodiments.Various modifications or changes described below can be devised andthese modifications or changes are also within the scope of thisinvention.

(1) According to a modification of the third embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8, a lower limit of an allowable range may come below an edge ofthe lower side 10D of the window glass 10B and the termination 21A ofthe molding 20A may also come below the lower side 10D of the windowglass 10B. This also makes it impossible to form a termination lastpoint mark. Meanwhile, in the third embodiment, at least a terminationstarting point can be checked by forming only the termination startingpoint mark 16 near the lower side 10D.

(2) In the aforementioned embodiments, the black border 11 is printed onthe window glass 10 and the termination range mark 13 is an indicationformed by making a cutout in the black border 11. Alternatively, thetermination range mark 13 may be an indication such as a rectangularfigure or a line described in the aforementioned embodiments to beformed independently of and separately from the black border.

(3) Ceramic paste (such as silver paste used for printing a hot wire oran antenna) with a color different from the black border may be printedon the black border and dried. Then, the black border may be completedby baking in a heating furnace.

Although not described in detail, the embodiments and the modificationscan be used in combination, where appropriate. This invention is not tobe limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automotive window glass to which a molding for sealing space between a car body and the window glass is to be attached, the window glass comprising: an attachment starting point mark indicating an attachment starting point of the molding; and at least one of a termination starting point mark identifying a termination starting point of a specification range, the termination starting point corresponding to a location on the window glass beyond which a termination of the molding is to be placed, and a termination last point mark identifying a termination last point of the specification range, the termination last point corresponding to a location before which a termination of the molding is to be placed.
 2. The automotive window glass according to claim 1, comprising: both the termination starting point mark and the termination last point mark.
 3. The automotive window glass according to claim 1, wherein the termination starting point mark and the termination last point mark are normal to an outer periphery of the automotive window glass.
 4. The automotive window glass according to claim 1, wherein the termination starting point mark and the termination last point mark are formed in a black border on the automotive window glass.
 5. The automotive window glass according to claim 4, wherein the termination starting point mark and the termination last point mark are formed in an outer circumference of the black border.
 6. The automotive window glass according to claim 2, wherein the termination starting point mark and the termination last point mark are sides of a multi-sided shape located on the window glass. 